#ScreamQueens: How to be Chanel Oberlin

Of course, I could not resist a discussion of How to be the amazing Chanel Oberlin ofScream Queens, portrayed by Emma Roberts. Let’s celebrate the two hour season finale by overviewing Fall 2015’s fashionable, number one ‘it’ girl!

After all, I do love studying a Queen Bee. And, apparently I’m not alone – both my how to be Gossip Girl‘s Blair Waldorf (here) and Pretty Little Liars’ Alison DiLaurentis (here) posts garner lots of traffic, many months after the fact. I guess we’re all a little bit fascinated by an impeccably chic girl, whose wit and bitchiness inspire a legion of minions.

Clearly, mastermind Ryan Murphy took note of Emma Roberts’ talent of evolving into that role as Madison in American Horror Story‘s ‘Coven’ season. In Scream Queens, he took her talent as a quick tongued ‘it’ girl and ran with it, creating Chanel Oberlin – president of a wealthy sorority girl squad at Kappa Kappa Tau. The show is clearly poking fun at Kappa Kappa Gamma, exacerbating their shallow and materialistic reputation for entertainment value – with a mass murderer on the loose.

Where Blair Waldorf did have a heart of gold beneath her shiny armor and ribbon headbands, Chanel Oberlin- is decidedly more malicious. I mean, she did accidentally murder her the KKT housemaid in a batch of frying oil and attempted to kill her sorority sister Chanel #6 (Lea Michele), thrusting her down a flight of stairs. Oh, and we can’t forget that little attempt to murder her college dean, Jamie Lee Curtis, with a healthy glass of poisoned apple cider. Yes, our girl Chanel has her vindictive flaws, but she also has a strong sense of leadership, a dream closet and a knack for rallying her followers to a cause – be it murder or a love of Halloween.

Know the Power of a Well Executed Email
When you need to take control, nothing lays the law like a well-executed email. Be it rallying your student body to support your annual ‘Chanal-o-Ween’ party, despite the mean college dean’s insistence that it’s canceled. Or, your sorority sisters aren’t backing you up? Perched behind a laptop with a plate of macaroons and a glass of rose, work your magic girl!

Halloween Really is, like, an AWESOME Holiday
Make like Chanel and go all out for Halloween. Whether you’re dressing up like Jackie O, shipping gory and bloody presents off to your Instagram followers, or building a real-life replica of The Shining‘s snow maze — Chanel-o-Ween is a cause for celebration. Go big, or don’t go at all!

Chic Sunglasses are a Power Play
To Chanel Oberlain, sunglasses are more than a fashionable accessory that keep the sun out of her eyes – they’re also a weapon of power. When gearing up to firmly stand her ground, Chanel’s latest Prada sunnies are an assertion of power and that give a true don’t F with me attitude.

Everybody Loves Presents
Being stupid rich like Chanel Oberlain affords you the opportunity to award your minions with presents at will. Whether it’s to buy back their support or just because you want to look extra chic in ‘sleuthing’ hats while identifying the mass murderer on campus, a present beautifully packaged in coordination with your outfit is always a good idea.

Respect and Know Your Heritage
Chanel Oberlain was a walking, talking encyclopedia on Kappa Kappa Tau’s heritage. To be a great leader and build your own legacy, you have to recognize and respect the leaders that came before you.

Retail Therapy and Black Friday? Always a Good Idea
Of course, all queen bees love their shopping – and there’s no day celebrating retail therapy quite like Black Friday. Whether taunting the general public as they run wild for door-busters deals, or scouring the Black Friday sales for cheap gifts for her friends – Chanel’s guaranteed to be at the mall when it opens. After all, nothing’s more American than going mad for things you don’t need on Black Friday!

Diet Chocolate is a Must
Living on a strict regimen of cotton balls and barbecue sauce isn’t enough to get a girl through REALLY tough times. The answer? A box of chocolate morsels to power your way through. Hey, we all have our weak moments.

Own Your Entrance
Chanel Oberlain knows the power of a great entrance. Whether boldly emerging from her closet, or upon release from jail – Chanel nails it every time. Sometimes, all a girl can do is keep her head held high and work those hips.

Girl Squad, Goals!
Upon her embarrassing arrest for a silly murder (that she did commit), our girl Chanel spent no time crying alone in her orange jumpsuit. Instead, Chanel immediately got to work building her prison girl squad. Because, every great leader knows you can’t have power without followers.

With Altitude Comes Power
Throughout the season of Scream Queens, Chanel spends a lot of time talking down to her sorority girl minions – literally. With elevation, she delivers her plan – while forcing her pledges to take note from below. If you don’t have a grand, winding staircase and balcony to work to your advantage…pick up some platform heals.

Of course, it would not be a discussion on Chanel Oberlain without touching on her fashionable ways. When it comes to building your Chanel Oberlain inspired wardrobe, think a lot of fur and feathers. Where Blair Waldorf loved ribbons and headbands, Chanel loves fur headpieces, hats and shrugs. She also wears a lot of flashy mohair feathers, pink and platform shoes. From Fendi to Chanel, her designer wardrobe is multi-dimensional. Here is a selection of Chanel-approved pieces to build your personal empire in.

Shop Like Chanel Oberlain

Like this post?

Check out these posts on how to be other badass, fashionable characters!